Lee Trawick
Reporter2@riverbendnews.org
The ongoing missing person case of 59-year-old Deborah “Debbie” Lanham of Wellborn, Fla., has ended following the identifications of human remains found on Tuesday, Dec. 20. Lanham's family reported her missing on Wednesday, Dec. 14, after they had not successfully made contact with her since Monday, Dec. 12. That same Monday, Lanham's ex-boyfriend, 30-year-old Jordan Ernsberger, was released from the Suwannee County Jail.
Ernsberger had been arrested by the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) four times since June 2022 on drug charges and, most recently, charges of burglary and trespassing. He is originally from Goodspring, Tenn., where he had also been in trouble with the law before moving to Florida.
On the day the report was made, the SCSO found both Lanham and her vehicle to be missing. Later that Wednesday, Lanham's vehicle was located in an undisclosed location. Evidence left in the vehicle led SCSO investigators to suspect foul play was involved in her disappearance, and listed Ernsberger as a person of interest.
On Thursday, Dec. 15, Ernsberger fled to Madison County and was later arrested by the Madison County Sheriff's Office when a homeowner reported someone was trying to break into their home. However, he refused to speak with law enforcement concerning Lanham's whereabouts.
Six days after she was reported missing, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, the SCSO discovered the body of a caucasian female in Hamilton County off State Road 6. The SCSO continued to follow evidence in the case, leading them to the discovery. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office assisted in securing the scene and evidence, along with the removal and preservation of the remains, which were sent to Jacksonville, Fla., for identification. Ernsberger, subsequently, elevated from a person of interest to the investigation's prime suspect.
On Monday, March 6, the SCSO received confirmation of the body's identity as that of Lanham. While no formal charges have been filed against Ernsberger at this time in connection to Lanham's death, Suwannee County Sheriff Sam St. John expects charges to be coming soon. Be sure to pick up the Wednesday, March 15, edition of the Riverbend News for more an in-depth look at the investigation.